Phil and teds question - how long did you keep baby "underneath"

[waitingtobloom]

I have just very excitedly unpacked my new phil and teds and am worried its not actually going to be practical. I have a 2 year old and baby due in a couple of months.

When I put it in the position where you have the newborn lieing flat and the toddler on top it doesnt seem like the baby is going to be happy in there for very long at all. I couldnt have imagined my son being happy in there for longer than about 6 weeks max. It seems cramped, dark and they cant see a thing - not even you because you are upside down. When they are little they will probably spend a lot of time asleep in there but once they are more alert what did you do?

I was thinking put the second seat on the back, lie it in the flattest position and put a head hugger in.

Or go against their advice and have the toddler in the back with the baby in a more reclined position in the front.

What did you do? Was baby happy in the back bit for long? Or can anyone recommend a better double buggy?

Thanks
Amy xxx

[TheBlonde]

Second seat is only recommended from 6 mths
I used mine from about 4 mths
Baby was perfectly happy underneath

[mamabea]

my 5 month old loves it down there. She's not a tiny beeny one either,

quite happy. Think she'll easily go to 6 months.

However, I do cheat and sometimes when she's wide awake I put her in the sling so she can see what's what.

[Washersaurus]

I think I switched the set up at around 4/5 months as DS2 was getting too long for the cocoon and didn't seem to enjoy being in it as much as he had (he loved it for the first couple of months). I did pop a snuggly cosy toes in the back seat and think a head hugger is a good idea.

I also found the balance a bit 'off' with my 2 year old on the top - if I hit a tarmac covered tree root (we have lots of those around here) the buggy would almost tip over.

Now DS2 is a bit bigger (10mo) I do alternate them in seats - DS1 loves going in the back, but back seat is best for DS2 if he is going to nap - as it isn't fair on DS1 in the back to recline the front seat and squish him in!

[KnickersOnMaHead]

Message withdrawn

[olyoly]

My baby was tiny, but he loved it there. I was winter, so very cozy. Can't recall when we switched him to a seat, but it seemed too big. He sat on a folded blanket to make him fit.

That said, you will love your buggy!

[waitingtobloom]

Thanks - I do love it Im just concerned that baby will hate it. Saying that I cant find anyone who found this so will just keep my fingers crossed.

As its the new model the second seat reclines so with a head hugger and cosy toe then perhaps the baby can go in the back once they can sit up with support. Im not sure whether the six month rule is there for babys sake or them covering their own backs (bit of both im guessing - it also tells you not to go water skiing with the pram lol)

DS absolutely loves it! As soon as we unpacked it he stood there saying "wow" and then climbed straight in and just sat there so im not sure we are allowed to take it back, lol.

Am also thinking of getting a new sling so if baby realy doesnt like it when she is small then I can do that. It definitely looks fantastic when you have two toddlers.

thanks for your advice
xxx

[LolaLadybird]

We have a Phil & Ted's and whilst it's not perfect, I love it - there is a gap of 2.4 yrs btwn DD and DS. I was warned by a friend that there can be a bit of time lag between being too big to want to lie flat and too small for back seat. DS was about 4/5 mths when first put him in seat but he is a big boy so seemed to fill it reasonably well and it does help that you can recline 2nd seat.

Other problem I found was that they advise that bigger child really needs to be in front seat to balance weight out but then the toddler is likely to be wanting to get in and out leaving you with babe in back seat and no weight in front IFYWIM and then it tips backwards. Now that DS is heavier though I stick him front and older DD in back (she loves the novelty) and that seems to work.

All that said, I would buy one again in a flash - only regret was that I didn't buy one when expecting frist child (although they weren't really that well known then).

[LolaLadybird]

Should have said that it only tips backward with no weight in front when going downhill (we live in a v hilly village!).

[Washersaurus]

Lola - the weight of my pannier bag with all our washable nappies in stops ours from tipping up . I agree it does make more sense to have the bigger one in the back if they are hopping on and off (like DS1 does)